Adam

WHAT IS IT ABOUT BLACK CATS? I was rescued awhile ago from the streets of Mountain View, but no one has been interested in adopting me probably because they think I'm just another ordinary black cat. Life is tough if you're a black cat: at shelters, we're the last to get adopted, and the first to be put to sleep. But my mom and dad, who've been rescuing cats for almost 20 years, believe black cats are especially beautiful and REALLY smart. In England, black cats are considered lucky and white cats unlucky; the opposite is true in the U.S. -- go figure!

As for me, I follow my mom around (actually I'll follow anyone around) and lean against her when she scoops my box. I also like to place my paw on her hand while she scoops, in case she forgets I'm there! As a matter of fact, I'm always by her side. I'm the first to play with a toy, the first to sit in an available lap, and the first to eat at the food bowl. My mom thinks I'm the best cat ever. Won't you give me a chance -- I don't care what color you are!

Ariel

Gee, I'm really grateful to be indoors.  I was living under a mobile home in Sunnyvale, where I had given birth to a litter of beautiful babies.  The residents of the mobile home park were very unhappy with my presence (I kept trying to tell them one of the residents had abandoned me but those humans just didn't understand) and wanted to trap and take me and my babies to the shelter, where we would have been killed.  But someone called the Fat Cat people, and they came and got us.  The nice people at 13th Street Cat Rescue found homes for my babies.  I'm very sweet and affectionate, and don't take any nonsense (i.e. roughhousing) from the other cats I'm rooming with.

Baby

Attention animal lovers! My name is Baby. I'm from a little back yard in Los Altos, CA. I'm not gonna lie, it was a pretty uncomfortable living situation, so now I am looking for a loving home!

Here's a little bit about me. I like toes… a lot! If you have them, I will lick them. I don't discriminate. In fact, I love everyone and everyone's toes. I also love string, sticks, fake mice, bags, boxes, and any other object that will keep me entertained.

I have three siblings: Beau, Bob and Boo. I am definitely the instigator of the bunch. If there is trouble, I caused it. If there is roughhousing, I started it. What can I say? I love to play, and I have a way of inspiring those around me to do the same. Will you play with me?

Blanquita

I came from the streets of East Palo Alto.  A real nice lady at the Habitat for Humanity site fed me and called the Fat Cat people, and they took me in.  I'm very sweet and gentle and nice.  And I'm in love. I'm in love with Thor.  When he first told me his story I felt sorry for him.  He'd had such a hard life!  But then I got to know him and fell in love with him; he is a sweetheart, and treats me real good.  So now we are together, and are looking for a home together.  Won't you give us a chance?

Finian

My sister Faith and I we're a team.  We both have that funny smoke coloring.  But she is all salt-and-pepper, and I well, only half of me (the bottom half) is salt-and-pepper. My top half is all black.  I don't know which color is going to win out, and what my final color will be, but it's kinda fun changing color!  The other kittens are jealous.

I too like people, and always come over for pets and hugs. I'm gentle, and am very careful when I play with Faith cuzz she is little.  I can't wait to have a home of my own.  Adopt me now and watch me grow and change color!

Fuzzy Wuzzy

I don't know what it is about my foster dad's litter-box scooping technique, but a number of my fellow foster cats like to jostle for position to supervise the work, including me! I especially like putting my paws on dad's thigh to get him to pet me with one hand while he's trying to scoop with the other hand!

I've had the mothering experience with my boy, Pi. He's in his forever home now so I think I did a good job with him. Now I'm ready to mother a big person all of my own. I like a good conversation with that special person. I'm a good listener, but when you need a word or two of encouragement, I know just the right meows to say! C'mon, sit down and let's talk!

George

My sister Patience and I are Stanford University alums. Well, at least we were born on the Stanford campus! Our mom had a bit of a reputation as a party girl who had quite a few litters of kittens before she was finally nabbed and fixed! I like to party a bit too. I especially like hanging out with people and other cats. Sometimes other boys get a bit jealous because I'm so handsome (and modest). I like keep you company while you do your chores and can offer a bit of commentary or just general chit chat, if you prefer, while you work. C'mon, let's chill together.

Hazel

I had a rough start. I was found all alone, covered in lice, sitting on the sidewalk in front of an apartment complex in Hayward, crying my eyes out. My mom and siblings had been trapped and taken to the pound the day before, and I didn't know what to do. A really nice person who was moving out of the complex spotted me and called the people at Fat Cat, who whisked me away and took care of me.

I've always been sweet and nice; I'm really no trouble at all. But be forewarned: I'm smart. Really smart. I figure things out. Don't think you can hide that cat toy atop the bookcase, or a canned food tin in the wastebasket under the sink: I'll find it. Finished with that crinkly candy wrapper? Great -- I'll snatch it off the end table, bat it around the floor. When I'm finished, I'll hide it until next time.

I like to sleep on mom or dad, and I like all the other cats. I'm really good at making biscuits (kneading), and move my paws back and forth so quickly, my mom says I make instant biscuits! 

Jasmine

My brother Jasper and I were rescued from a dumpster in Santa Clara. We were starving, and my mom lead us all to the dumpster, in hopes of finding something to eat. Some nice people noticed us and left us food, and contacted the Fat Cat people, who took us in.

We're now in a lovely foster home, where we spend our mornings making certain our foster mom gets to work on time (we wake her up as soon as we hear the alarm clock!), and making certain she doesn't slip in the shower (we perch on the edge of the tub and hide behind the curtain).  When she's at work we busy ourselves with people-watching and an occasional cat nap.  As soon as we hear the key in the door we know our foster mom has come home, and that means dinner! and another chance to attack that laser light (which we haven't been able to figure out).

My brother Jasper and I are inseparable and need to be adopted together.  We love people. Won't you take us home?

Jasper

My brother Jasper and I were rescued from a dumpster in Santa Clara. We were starving, and my mom lead us all to the dumpster, in hopes of finding something to eat. Some nice people noticed us and left us food, and contacted the Fat Cat people, who took us in.

We're now in a lovely foster home, where we spend our mornings making certain our foster mom gets to work on time (we wake her up as soon as we hear the alarm clock!), and making certain she doesn't slip in the shower (we perch on the edge of the tub and hide behind the curtain).  When she's at work we busy ourselves with people-watching and an occasional cat nap.  As soon as we hear the key in the door we know our foster mom has come home, and that means dinner! and another chance to attack that laser light (which we haven't been able to figure out).

My sister Jasmine and I are inseparable and need to be adopted together.  We love people. Won't you take us home?

Mama Lee

A few months ago I had 5 beautiful babies in some bushes in a backyard in San Jose. My owners had moved, and I was left to fend for myself. The couple who found us only wanted my kittens -- not me! -- so the Fat Cat people took me in. At first it was a shock not to have my kittens; I missed them terribly.

But I found my calling.

I soon realized there was no point in moping around; there was work to be done. Other kittens needed my love and attention, and I quickly took on the task of looking after every kitten and adult cat. I clean everyone (even the adult cats) and nurse every kitten. I supervise their play, and tell them not to play rough with Scrappy or Faith. It's quite a job, and takes all my time. When I finally do get my own time, it's wonderful. I love to be petted and brushed and held. I'm very sweet and have alot to say. But after a few minutes of being petted I get back to work: a kitten beckons, and I'm off to assist. I'd really like a home of my own, and it would be really great if I could also have a kitten to take care of. Caring for others is my thing!

Minnie

Although I say it myself, I'm pretty cute. I really enjoy being petted and will purr up a storm as a reward. I think of myself as companionable; I like to sit near you and watch what you are doing.

I was born along with my brothers and sisters under a deck in Palo Alto, CA. The people who live there didn't really want us hanging around, so we were fortunate to be taken into a nice foster home where we hang out with a bunch of other cats.

I'd really like a home of my own with someone who'll give me lots of attention. Some feline companionship wouldn't go amiss either as I do get along with other cats.

Patience

George and I were rescued from the Stanford University campus with the rest of our littermates, so we consider ourselves Stanford alums.

I have to confess that I have a weakness: I like to hug. I mean both front paws around your neck type hugging! I know most of the other cats I live with think I'm a little too affectionate with my people. (They think a cat should stay aloof to make her people try harder to please her.) Right after hugging, my next favorite thing to do is talk to you. I'll be happy to converse on any topic you like. Oh, I forgot to mention that I also enjoy the dining experience. The rest of my littermates are larger than most other cats I've met, so I don't think I'm too large. Well, we'll just have to meet so you can see how great I look in person!

Sabrina

I'm a people cat.  I'm always around my foster mom.  She calls me "demanding" but I don't know what she's talking about.  After all, what's a cat got to do to get some attention around here?  All I do is nibble her toe when she is on the computer, or pull on one of those things called cables, or knock her pen off the desk, or try to sip from her coffee mug (heavy on the half-and-half please).  After I get her attention (a few hugs and a smooch) I curl up under the nice warm desk lamp and take a nap.  But when she turns on the thing called the printer, look out -- I spring into action!

I would do best with a home without other cats.  Frankly I find other cats boring.

Sassy

I was born to a feral mom in Fremont, CA and lived in the yard of a family who took care me and a whole lot of other cats. Unfortunately, the other cats kept picking on me. One even hit me with a hefty paw and hurt my left eye. I got pregnant and the kind family let me come into their house where it was safe for me to give birth. After a few weeks I was taken to a foster home. It's been great being able to stay there in the peace and quiet with my babies, but they are ready for a home of their own now and so am I.

I have a hair-trigger purr which kicks in the moment you walk into the room if I know you. If I've never met you before I might hiss a time or two until you start petting me and then off goes the purr machine again! I especially like to come and snuggle by your side to keep you company.

Scott

My sister Sunny and I were born in a parking lot at Sun Microsystems, so we were given names to match. Our mom, who is feral, was called Solaris. She and our wild brother Sparcy still live in the bushes where a nice lady looks after us every day. Sunny and I, on the other hand, really like being in a warm house with toys to play with, a cat tree to climb in, and a window from which to watch the birds and squirrels. We even get along with some other cat who are living with us.

Ideally, Sunny and I would like to have a home together where we can explore the house or sit in a lap whenever we want. If there's more than one lap available, so much the better! We'll keep you company and entertained anytime you want.

I had a bout of pancreatitis. Boy was that tough because I had to be fed through a tube until I felt like eating on my own again. To top that off I developed diabetes as a consequence, so now i need a little shot every day to keep the diabetes at bay. I've very good about it though and never make a fuss.

Scrappy

When they first fished me out of the juniper bushes I was really mad, and put up quite a fuss. But if ya really want to know, I was scared, and in alot of pain. See, me and my sisters were born outdoors and lived in those juniper bushes. Next to the bushes was a fence. The fence had a small hole in it, and one day I put my little leg through that hole and a dog in the next yard attacked me and took off my leg. A week passed, and the kind people who were feeding noticed me and called the Fat Cat people, who took me in, and helped me.

I get along just fine without my leg, and play with the other kittens. But sometimes they play a little too rough, and that's when I retreat to the sidelines and take it easy. My mom says I'm really an easy cat, and that I need lots of TLC, and would do well in a quiet home.

Needless to say, I don't like dogs.

Simon

We're stars! Maybe you didn't get a chance to see our pictures in the Los Altos Town Crier, but we made the FRONT PAGE! Look here! We're local celebrities! That's my brother, Sydney, being held by mom, and dad is holding me.

We were rescued from a nice lady's yard in Los Altos. Next door to the lady's house, a new house was being built, and we kept running and hiding in the house during construction, even hiding in the newly-installed kitchen cabinets. It was great fun! Anyway, the owners of the house under construction didn't share our enthusiasm, and decided we needed to get outta there, since it was very dangerous. The lady asked the Fat Cat people to rescue us and find us homes. Our momma was a Siamese, and that's where we got our big ears!

I'm very sweet and friendly and curious, and am very gentle. I really love my brother, Sydney, and hope we can go to a new home together. 

Snickers

I was born in a lovely rambling garden in Los Altos, CA where quite a lot of cats are living. The kind lady who lives there looks after us all. After I was given the opportunity to live indoors, I decided I liked that better than competing with the other cats in the garden. My brother, Socrates, could just not get it into his head that the people looking after us are kind and won't hurt us. So he chose to go back and live with the other cats in the garden. I like other cats just fine. I like being able to stay out of the heat and the rain and I especially like that I don't have to hunt for my meals!

I'd like a home of my own so I get someone's undivided attention. I'm not the jealous type, but we could all use a bit more TLC couldn't we? I'm a little cautious around new people at first, but it doesn't take long for me to come an give you one of my patented "cat scans!"

Sunny

Hello, Lap-o-holics Anonymous? I think I have a problem. See, anytime there's a lap I have to be in it. I'll crawl over anything and anyone to get there and I don't care how big or mean they might be. And purring! I can't seem to stop. Didn't I see on TV that I'm supposed to see a doctor if my purr lasts more than four hours? Someone call 9-1-1!

Scott and I were born in the bushes in a parking lot at Sun Microsystems (below Scott McNealy's office). He and I love being indoors where it is warm and I get my daily lap fix. Scott likes laps now too, so we have a little friendly competition and rarely sit still when there's a lap available. I love Scott and would like to stay with him.

In case you didn't know, life is tough if you're a black cat: at shelters, we're the last to get adopted, and the first to be put to sleep. But my mom and dad, who've been rescuing cats for almost 20 years, believe black cats are especially beautiful and REALLY smart. In England, black cats are considered lucky and white cats unlucky; the opposite is true in the U.S. -- go figure!

Got a lap? Here I come!

Thor

I had a rough start: I was trapped at Moffett Field in Mountain View and had been badly beaten up by a big tom cat.  Fortunately, the folks at NASA have a cat rescue group (the Ames Cat Network), and they nabbed me and got me to a vet.  The Fat Cat Rescue people heard I was going to be put to sleep (more on that later), and took me in and gave me a chance. 

I was a mess: my eye had to be removed, and my nose was badly scraped up.  Worse yet, my foster mom thought I was feral and ferocious, and took precautions not to pet me or get too close to me.  But I'm actually a sweetheart, and worked really hard (like purring every time she came near my cage) to show her I was a nice cat.  And so I healed and became accustomed to life with people.  They're wonderful.

Then a miracle happened: Blanquita entered my life.  She'd come from the streets of East Palo Alto so she wasn't put off by my weathered appearance.  In fact, she took pity on me and took care of me and regularly washed my face, reaching the places I couldn't see. We fell in love and are now inseparable, and are looking for a home together.  And although I look tough, I'm a lover, not a fighter.  She too is very gentle.  I can't live without her.

I have tested positive for FIV.  FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.  Cats who test positive have either been vaccinated against the disease or have been exposed to the virus at some point so their bodies have developed antibodies against it. Some may be carriers of the virus and some may not be carriers. The FIV test looks for antibodies to the virus not the virus itself, so it is difficult to distinguish a cat who was vaccinated for FIV from a cat infected with the virus.

Most cats who test positive for FIV live long healthy lives and do not show any symptoms. FIV is an immune deficiency virus which means it can gradually affect the immune system of the cat. Many FIV +ve cats are slightly more susceptible to infections than other cats.  Indoor-only FIV +ve cats who are fed well and taken good care of usually live to be 15-20 years just like any other cat.  FIV +ve cats do not require any special drugs or treatment.

FIV is a feline-specific virus, it cannot infect humans or any other species.  It is also not highly contagious among cats.  It is not transmissible through casual contact such as sharing water bowls, grooming, playing or sneezing.  FIV is transmitted via blood -- usually from a deep bite wound.  Most cats that test positive for FIV are young males who have been in vicious fights over mates or territory, or the victim of a bigger nastier tom cat.  That's what happened to me!   I wouldn't hurt a flea!

So that's my story.  Blanquita and me, we're looking for a new start.